Foreclosures Jump 26% in First Quarter With Surprising Midwestern State Leading the Nation
Foreclosure activity in the United States surged 26% year‑over‑year in Q1 2026, reaching 118,727 properties. Both foreclosure starts and completed foreclosures rose sharply, up 20% and 45% respectively, though overall levels remain far below the 2007 subprime peak. Indiana posted the highest state foreclosure rate at 1 in 739 homes, while South Carolina and Florida followed closely. Among metros, Lakeland, Florida recorded the worst ratio, with a filing for every 409 housing units.
Shrinking Rent Savings in DC Ease Path to Homeownership for Aspiring Buyers
The March 2026 Realtor.com rent report shows the gap between renting and buying a starter home in Washington, DC narrowed, with the renter advantage dropping $338 to $707 per month. Nationally, the average savings from renting versus buying fell to...
Former Google Exec Brings in $56 Million for San Francisco Mansion in City’s Priciest Home Trade Since Laurene Powell Jobs’...
Former Google executive Daniel Alegre sold his Pacific Heights mansion for $56 million, the most expensive San Francisco residential transaction since Laurene Powell Jobs paid $71 million in 2024. The Beaux Arts‑style home, which the Alegres bought for $11.7 million in 2013, was heavily...
9 Ways To Weatherize Your Home To Lower Your Energy Bills Before Summer Heat Sets In
Homeowners are urged to weatherize before summer to cut energy bills and avoid HVAC overload. Experts from FilterKing, Service Experts, and First Choice Heating outline nine practical steps—from sealing windows to testing thermostats. Early action secures contractor availability, prevents costly...
California’s Housing Market Is Still All Over the Clock—Despite Years of Reform
California’s housing market remains fragmented despite more than 180 land‑use reforms since 2017. The Realtor.com Market Clock shows metros ranging from an early seller’s market in San Francisco to early buyer territory in Riverside. Permit issuances dropped to about 101,500 units...
Congressional Leaders Insist Housing Bill Remains Priority, Despite Divided Attention
Congressional leaders are pressing to revive the stalled bipartisan 21st Century Road to Housing Act, with House Financial Services Chairman French Hill and Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott seeking a joint reconciliation. The Mortgage Bankers Association opposes the Senate’s proposed...
‘Stealing Signs Won’t Change Minds’: Proposed 50% Property Tax Hike Sparks Bitter Tax Battle in Massachusetts Town
South Hadley, Massachusetts, faces a $3 million budget shortfall and has placed two property‑tax override measures on the ballot—a $9 million and an $11 million option that would lift the town’s tax limit and increase the median homeowner’s bill by roughly 50% over...
The U.S. Postal Service Is Running Out of Money—And Homeowners May Need To Be Worried
The U.S. Postal Service warned Congress it could run out of cash within a year, after accumulating $118 billion in net losses since 2007. A steep decline in first‑class mail and the agency’s self‑funded model have left it vulnerable without legislative...
Why Lenders Could Be Tightening HELOC Requirements in 2026
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) surged 16% year‑over‑year between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, driven by record‑high U.S. homeowner equity of roughly $17.8 trillion. In 2026 lenders—especially non‑bank and fintech firms—are tightening terms, often demanding borrowers draw 50%‑100% of the line upfront....
In His 100-Day Address, Mamdani Says ‘Pothole Politics’ Will Fix NYC Housing and Affordability
Mayor Zohran Mamdani used his 100‑day address to brand a "pothole politics" strategy that ties everyday service fixes to broader affordability goals. He highlighted filling more than 102,000 potholes, conducting Rental Ripoff Hearings with 1,600 tenant testimonies, and securing $2 million...
Home Sales Fell in March as Weak Job Growth Dampened Buyer Confidence
Existing‑home sales fell 3.6% in March, slipping to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million as weak job growth and higher mortgage rates dented buyer confidence. Condo transactions dropped 7.9% year‑over‑year while single‑family sales were essentially flat. Despite the sales...
America’s Rising Debt Could Keep Mortgage Rates High—And Housing Expensive
Washington’s $38 trillion debt, rising by roughly $2 trillion each year, is emerging as a key driver of higher mortgage rates. The Trump administration’s FY2027 budget offers no clear long‑term strategy to curb the deficit, leaving investors uneasy about future Treasury financing....
Savvy Homeowners Are Swapping Thirsty Grass for Luxury Irish Moss Lawns This Year
Homeowners are turning to Irish moss as a low‑growth ground cover to replace traditional grass, especially on small, shaded lawns. The moss stays short, removing the need for mowing and reducing reliance on fertilizers and herbicides. However, experts warn it...
An AI Data Center Is Coming for Her Backyard and Century-Old Family Cemetery
A proposed $5.18 billion, 650‑MW hyperscale data center—Project Ruby—by Habitat Real Estate Partners is slated for a 15‑acre site in Muscogee County, Georgia, adjacent to a family cemetery dating to the 1800s. Homeowner Debbie Jackson learned of the plan in February...
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly Vetoes Property Tax Cap Bill, Pitches Own Solution
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2745, a Republican‑backed proposal that would let a petition of 5% of voters freeze local government budget increases above 3%. Kelly argued the measure would not deliver real property‑tax relief...
